Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3438/-1/127/
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Anguilla PONY League Baseball Receives Donation
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Anguilla PONY League Baseball has received several donations of equipment from many visitors to the island in the past two months. Donations were made by individual visitors: Richard Parles of New York who arrived with baseball gloves and baseballs and some protective equipment; and Nancy Michaels who donated uniforms for the second time.
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Calvin Hughes of Anguilla (left) and US donors
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Other equipment was given by Keith Rollins who brought gloves and balls as well.
Long time visitors to Anguilla Joe and Lynne McKenna of Attleboro, Massachusetts, arrived on Anguilla with several aluminum bats and baseballs and were followed by a shipment of four boxes full of other equipment. The packages included baseball gloves, catcher’s equipment, uniforms, bats, balls, helmets and equipment bags.
Joe McKenna and his brother John are the uncles of Anne Parles, owner of Straw Hat Restaurant in Anguilla, and have been involved with sports and coaching in the Attleboro community for several years. Joe coached at Attleboro High School and John was a Little League baseball coach for many years. While visiting Anguilla, in 2005, Joe heard about the start-up of Anguilla PONY League and, upon returning home, worked with his brother to make some contacts in Attleboro and solicited donations from the sporting community. They spoke with Leo Johnson of the Attleboro Recreation Department and Little League and had a great response from the community and the town.
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Presentation to one of the players
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It is hoped that the connection made between Anguilla PONY League Baseball and the Attleboro Community can be continued as a “sister league” programme where other donations can be obtained and, somewhere down the line, a baseball tour might be arranged between the two leagues where children from Anguilla can visit Attleboro (near Boston) and children from Attleboro can visit Anguilla to play baseball, get to know one another and learn about each other’s cultures.
Anguilla PONY League Baseball was introduced in 2003 and is targeted at boys and girls from age five to twelve. The 2005 PONY League Baseball tournament saw 82 young players and that number increased to 150 for the just-ended 2006 Tournament. PONY is an international organization whose name stands for Protect Our Nation’s Youth. With the increased interest in baseball in Anguilla, the league has taken steps to create another avenue for the island’s children to enjoy sports and the camaraderie that goes along with being part of a team and giving your best efforts.
Anguilla PONY League is open to interested persons and sponsors who wish to get on board and assist the youth of Anguilla. The organization welcomes any donations from any interested persons, groups or businesses.
Please contact Calvin Hughes for more information at 264-235-6242 or e-mail anguillaponybasesoftball@hotmail.com.